All The News, Arkansas State Missions
STATE MISSIONS: Spring Meeting with Our Missionaries
Paul White
The Advisory Committee and I have been mandated by the association to physically meet with our missionaries at least twice a year, and Monday was one of those times. We heard from all seven, having a perfect attendance, and we were encouraged and thankful for the work these are involved in. Please remember to pray for them, and invite one or more to come share their world with your people.
Beneficial Meeting
The national meeting in Branson seemed to be well attended and a very harmonious spirit was forth coming from all who were involved. It has been a long time since we experienced as much discussion on a topic. It was a true demonstration of how we can disagree without being disagreeable. I must admit I was glad that it occurred on Clif’s watch and not mine back when I was president a few years ago. He and the officers did a splendid job. I thank Coordinating Council Chairman Richard Smith and those on the Coordinating Council for presenting some positive changes to the meeting schedule. I know much effort was put into those recommendations.
It was exciting to meet several of our State Mission’s directors at a special luncheon Tuesday planned by BMA Global President John David Smith. It was encouraging to see men whose lives are given to missions. We all look forward to getting to know one another better and to sharing ideas.
I was thrilled to hear my friend James Schoenrock deliver the annual message — what a godly example and what a tremendous wealth of BMA knowledge he has. We are blessed to have capable men stepping into rolls of leadership to carry our work into the future because, as always, there comes the time to pass the baton. I am already looking forward to the meeting next year in Texas.
Blessing
Sunday, I had the privilege to preach at First Baptist Church in Caldwell. I have come to love and appreciate those people having had the opportunity to be with them several times. They have called a pastor and he and his family will be on the field soon.
Excited
The Jonesboro Association has scheduled a weeklong revival with a different speaker each night. I was honored to be asked to speak Thursday night at Milligan Ridge Baptist Church. Please pray that this will be a time for His people to draw closer to our Lord.
From Our Missionaries
Misión Creciendo en Cristo (Growing in Christ), North Little Rock: Juan Carlos Posadas writes, “This week, I was blessed to participate in the annual meeting of our association. It was good to see the faces of brothers and sisters again, greet them and catch up on our lives and ministry.
“Upon returning, Friday morning, I appeared at the Pulaski County Courthouse, in downtown Little Rock, as I was summoned to serve on a jury when required from May 1 until Aug. 31. You can serve up to 10 times during that period, but we were informed that it is usually not more than 7 times.
“Bro. Dublas, upon seeing that the renovation work on the building’s fascia was of poor quality, decided on his initiative to dismantle and reinstall it, leaving it much better. I am excited to witness the zeal for the work in the temple on the part of the brothers. They want the best for the temple of our God.
“Thank you for praying for this mission work, we are experiencing many attacks from the enemy in church families. May God guide us in exhorting, teaching and encouraging the brothers and sisters of the congregation.”
Ebenezer, West Little Rock: Ruben Isturiz writes, “It has been a week of visits. Monday night, we visited the Lopez family. Their son, Neymar has cancer. Thank God, the cancer never affected the bone marrow, but Neymar has had to undergo chemotherapy treatment. He has had moments where he has been hospitalized but, thank God, he has been progressing for the better. We pray that, he can be discharged this summer.
“Wednesday night, we visited the Hernandez family for prayer and fellowship time. The blessing was that, starting this week, every Wednesday we will have a Discovery Bible Study (DBS).
“Friday, I visited Mayra Cifuentes at the Baptist Hospital. She has had problems with her pancreas due to her diabetes. It was a good time to pray for her and encourage her to seek the things of God.
“Thanks to God, the ministry in the homes continues to advance. Starting this week, we will have meetings on Wednesdays and Thursdays to discover what the Bible says. We are studying the gospel of John, and it has been a great blessing.
“Saturday in our home, the sisters continued to meet and celebrated several birthdays. Pray that we can activate a ministry for our youth, men and a worship ministry.
“We had a good time of celebration Sunday. We challenged everyone in Ebenezer to share the truth of God’s Word and their own life to the unbelievers. After our service, I left to give the Bible study to the baseball players. We continued to make progress in sowing the good seed to the boys, then I stayed to watch a little bit of the game, and it was interesting to see one of our mission churches come as a group at the stadium. Thank you once again for your support. To God be the glory!”
Faith Chapel, Flippin: Johnny Shew writes, “We had a very busy, and a great week at Faith Chapel — but then, they all are! We had a really good number again for worship, and for Sunday evening service even though this flu bug is still going around. Now some have allergies and even bronchitis, brought on by all this pollen. Everything is yellow right now, but the weather has been just beautiful and the pollen is about over.
“Well, I finally get to tell you, Praise God — the drywall is finished, even the texture! It seems like it has been the main thing we have been waiting on for the longest time, but it is all finished now! Praise God again! The plumber got the addition roughed in, the concrete floors have been poured and the painting should begin about the middle of this week. I told you it was a busy week! We are ready for the Master’s Builders to come and frame the addition. They are scheduled to be here beginning May 6 for two weeks, and we can’t wait to have them here again! They are such a blessing, not only to do the work, but just to be around. They finished their work in Missouri on Friday, and a few of them came by and dropped off their campers so they wouldn’t have to tow them home, so we got to have a good visit and it seems like we already have a head start. After a season of waiting for drywall to be finished, things are really happening fast now, and we will be in our new building soon. And we can’t thank you, or God, enough!
“We thank you for your prayers and support, and we thank God for calling us to this work and for making all this happen. We give Him the glory for it all! Praise God again and again!”
Faith Journey, Benton: Bryan Clay writes, “We had a great time of fellowship this week at Faith Journey. We had a large group with four first-time visitors! We worshipped, fellowshipped and enjoyed a delicious meal!
“We were out in our community making contacts with people this week. Third Thursday started up again in downtown Benton, and we were able to visit with folks and tell them about who we are and what Faith Journey is doing in the area. We planted a lot of seeds, so, hopefully, we will see some new faces from these divine appointments.
“I was able to attend the Central Arkansas District Brotherhood meeting this week at the Church at Willow Beach in North Little Rock. I enjoyed meeting men from fellow churches from our part of the state. They gave me an opportunity to speak and share at the meeting what God is doing at Faith Journey. It was a pleasure to get to spend time with these Christian gentlemen and learn how our Baptist Association works in the surrounding areas.”
Misión Gracia Soberana (Sovereign Grace), NWA: Roberto Marcelletti writes, “The month of April is almost over. Thank God, He has been faithful in guiding us. We have been able to share the gospel with several families, and we just hope that the Lord calls them to salvation. We are also giving biblical counseling to women who are experiencing family abuse in Rogers.
“We were also able to meet in our small groups and the number of people has been maintained — 15 people have been discipled. We have already started the meetings with Bro. Franklin. He is very interested in growing and serving the Lord, and glory to God for that because there are not many men these days who want to dedicate their lives to the service of the Lord.
“Several families did not attend our Sunday Service, but we had a visitor — Diego, a nephew of my wife came from Colombia to live in the area. The Lord moved his heart and we were glad that the Lord has started a work in him. He told us he would return the next Sunday and that when his wife and son arrived they would join the church.”
Epic Life, Pea Ridge: Jake McCandless writes, (4/15) “I’ll tell you a funny story and then the good news. With this model of opening your home, you can’t hide anything. A couple weeks back, we had to shift the Woodbridge Connection Group to our house at the last minute. We may or may not have had to go into super cleaning mode.
While we fellowshipped and ate, the adults mingled around the kitchen, dining space and living room while the kids played in the backyard. Then we circled up in the living room, but the dining table is visible from the living room. Someone said, ‘I guess we need to pray for Jake and Amanda because looks like Jake had to buy flowers.’ There were two vases of flowers on the table — busted! Actually, this time was a ‘just because.’ I had found purple tulips which were a favorite, but if they were ‘I’m sorry’ flowers, everyone would know. Some good news is that they were ‘just because’ flowers, but this week we really got a glimpse of how this method of ministry can explode.
“I’m so excited! We have been praying for our softball team parents for two years, and this week I had the chance to lead a Connection Group Discovery Bible Study for the team and parents — 17 came! The parents were blown away by how the kids participated and what they walked away learning! We believe I will get to do this at least six more times, and we’re praying God uses it.
“This evening, we’re launching out in a new group with a family who wants to start it at their house. That gives us a total of six groups now, and five of them met this week! Over 50 people were in Discovery Bible Study this week!”